Photo by: Karl Maasdam
October 27, 2026 | Wrestling
Blake Woodward spent his summer lifting, training and soaking up time with family before leaving home, including three days camping in the mountains with his dad and brother. The 157-pounder from Clovis, Calif., is new to Oregon State and says the scenery and the people surprised him most. He is aiming to show up with a positive attitude every day and help the Beavers win the Pac-12.
How would you describe this year's team?
"I would describe this year's team as unified. I feel like we all share the same vision and have the same goals, pushing each other every day. Some things that will make us successful this year are staying on task in the classroom, keeping each other accountable, and doing the extra and hard stuff no one else wants to do."
What's your goal this season?
"My individual goal for the season is to come in with a positive attitude every day and take in everything I'm taught. I also want to push myself to be better as a wrestler, even when things get tough, so I can push through those moments to the point where it's easy."
What's the team's goal?
"Our team goal this season is to be the best team in the Pac-12 and win the Pac-12 championship."
What was the highlight of your summer?
"Some things I did in the offseason were lift and train a lot, while also mixing in a lot of time with my family before I left. The highlight of my summer was getting to go up into the mountains with my dad and brother and camp for three days."
What have you loved about Oregon State that you didn't expect?
"Something I have loved about Oregon State is how committed everyone is toward you, and how close our team is. Something I love that I didn't expect was the scenery and the amazing people I get to work with."
What does it mean to wear the Orange and Black?
"When I wear the Orange and Black, I am representing not only the school but all the people who paved the way for me to be here, and the people helping me on a daily basis."
How would you describe the Corvallis community?
"I would describe Oregon State as a tight-knit college community that truly cares and has passion for its school."
How would you describe the coaching staff?
"I would describe the coaching staff as passionate and committed. The coaches keep me accountable for what I do, while pushing me to be my best self in the room."
What's something people may not know about you?
"I love to fish and play pickleball."
Do you have any pre-match rituals?
"My superstition before competing is listening to the same songs and eating the same food to try and replicate certain feelings."
What do you like most about wrestling?
"One thing I like about wrestling is how it shapes you not only as an athlete but as a person."
Lightning round
Favorite day of the week?
"Sunday. NFL football is on, and it is normally a day of rest."
Three teammates you would take to a deserted island?
"Nash, Jeff, and Sergio."
Which teammate has been excelling?
"A teammate I feel like has really been excelling is Jeff Lopez. I think he has started to excel because he is always in the room putting work in and getting the most out of his time on a daily basis, and I really look up to that."
Which teammate has the best style?
"TJ, because he has a good sense of style when it comes to clothes, and more."
Who would you trust to pick the pre-match playlist?
"Nate Carrillo."
Which teammate would be most likely to be a celebrity chef?
"Jeff."
Which teammate do you think will become a coach someday?
"Nash."
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How would you describe this year's team?
"I would describe this year's team as unified. I feel like we all share the same vision and have the same goals, pushing each other every day. Some things that will make us successful this year are staying on task in the classroom, keeping each other accountable, and doing the extra and hard stuff no one else wants to do."
What's your goal this season?
"My individual goal for the season is to come in with a positive attitude every day and take in everything I'm taught. I also want to push myself to be better as a wrestler, even when things get tough, so I can push through those moments to the point where it's easy."
What's the team's goal?
"Our team goal this season is to be the best team in the Pac-12 and win the Pac-12 championship."
What was the highlight of your summer?
"Some things I did in the offseason were lift and train a lot, while also mixing in a lot of time with my family before I left. The highlight of my summer was getting to go up into the mountains with my dad and brother and camp for three days."
What have you loved about Oregon State that you didn't expect?
"Something I have loved about Oregon State is how committed everyone is toward you, and how close our team is. Something I love that I didn't expect was the scenery and the amazing people I get to work with."
What does it mean to wear the Orange and Black?
"When I wear the Orange and Black, I am representing not only the school but all the people who paved the way for me to be here, and the people helping me on a daily basis."
How would you describe the Corvallis community?
"I would describe Oregon State as a tight-knit college community that truly cares and has passion for its school."
How would you describe the coaching staff?
"I would describe the coaching staff as passionate and committed. The coaches keep me accountable for what I do, while pushing me to be my best self in the room."
What's something people may not know about you?
"I love to fish and play pickleball."
Do you have any pre-match rituals?
"My superstition before competing is listening to the same songs and eating the same food to try and replicate certain feelings."
What do you like most about wrestling?
"One thing I like about wrestling is how it shapes you not only as an athlete but as a person."
Lightning round
Favorite day of the week?
"Sunday. NFL football is on, and it is normally a day of rest."
Three teammates you would take to a deserted island?
"Nash, Jeff, and Sergio."
Which teammate has been excelling?
"A teammate I feel like has really been excelling is Jeff Lopez. I think he has started to excel because he is always in the room putting work in and getting the most out of his time on a daily basis, and I really look up to that."
Which teammate has the best style?
"TJ, because he has a good sense of style when it comes to clothes, and more."
Who would you trust to pick the pre-match playlist?
"Nate Carrillo."
Which teammate would be most likely to be a celebrity chef?
"Jeff."
Which teammate do you think will become a coach someday?
"Nash."
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Players Mentioned
133
/ Wrestling
157
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